First Choice Tiling · Featured Burlington Tile Artisan

Hector Mendez founded First Choice Tiling, a tile company based in San Marcos, California. His team handles custom kitchen and bathroom remodels across the San Diego area, from Encinitas and Rancho Santa Fe to Escondido and Temecula.

Why we like him: a hands-on owner who started as a helper and has more than 20 years in the trade, and whose clients mention his attention to detail.

Word in the trade is they command around $1,800 a day, and they roll up in Hummers. (Trade talk, not their official pricing.)